Alex Corvo is one of the NRL's hottest commodities in high performance, strength and conditioning training after more than 20 years of experience in the game.
Many credit him as a driving force behind the Melbourne Storm's much-admired culture of professionalism, fitness and leadership, with Corvo spending 11 seasons and winning three premierships as the club's Head of Physical Performance.
He went on to fill a similar role with the Brisbane Broncos for four years before moving over to New Zealand to serve as the Warriors' Head of Performance where he remains today.
His work has also earned him roles on the coaching staff of various representative teams including four years with the performance staff of the Queensland State of Origin team and six years as the Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Australian Kangaroos.
Corvo's introduction to the world of high performance training with the Storm in 2002, however, was undoubtedly the most intriguing as he worked to build one the NRL's greatest dynasties.
"The culture there (when I arrived) wasn't a great working culture," Corvo told the Talking with TK podcast.
"I think that a lot of players that were there - other than a couple - thought (the success) would just continue.
"There was a bit of a philosophy that it was just going to happen for us."
New episode of the podcast with leading #nrl performance coach Alex Corvo. One of the best in the business, Alex has over 20 years experience which includes 11 years & premierships with the #MelbourneStorm & Craig Bellamy. Pod free to listen https://t.co/5iaB2v9IS1 pic.twitter.com/H8p9ZkrNjn
- Tristan K'Nell (@talkingwithtk)
Everything changed when legendary coach Craig Bellamy arrived at the club in 2003 - the team he would coach for over 450 games, and counting.
"I had a very strong edict from Craig (Bellamy) that I had to make training sessions excruciating and tough.
"We wanted to see how players stood out and stood up to it.
"There was a core group of players that weren't prepared to go with us and Craig knew that.
"They didn't survive at the club very long."
It was at this point that the Melbourne Storm began to turn the corner. They had already won a premiership in 1999, but Bellamy and Corvo were after bigger things.
"That's where the younger players... (Cameron) Smith, (Billy) Slater, Dallas Johnson, Ryan Hoffman... they came through and they didn't know any different - they just thought this was normal.
"What happened over time was that we probably didn't have to be as harsh or as tough on the players because they were driving themselves.
"It was an amazing club to be a part of and see how it evolved during those years."
Even with Grand Finals, premierships and the infamous salary cap scandal under their belt, Bellamy would never allow anything less than absolute commitment from his players at training.
According to Corvo, this was key to building their winning culture.
"(Craig's) desire was to see if any players gave up on that effort or that run, or decided they were going to walk," he said.
"We had a rule... no matter how slow you ran, you never walked. No matter how steep the hill was, you never walk up the hill either.
"If players were caught walking up the hill, generally it'd be a penalty for the whole group.
"Craig saw those training sessions as an opportunity to see how players would handle the tough times in a game."